Page 131 of Hard Limits

“Really?”

“Everyone thinks you already work for me, your parents included, so it seems as if that would be the most straightforward solution all around. But I’d like to add to your duties—until now, I haven’t given much thought to sustainability within Vale Holdings, and with your qualifications, you could probably offer some advice.”

“Like, greenify the company?”

“Exactly.”

“I’ve never worked in an office before, but I could try. I mean, I know the theory.”

“Then it’s a deal. I’m sure you won’t want to sit behind a desk forever, but take a few months to get back on your feet, and then you can look for something that will work better for you long-term.”

Another problem solved. Another step in the healing process for Meera. And I couldn’t wait for the next chapter in my life to begin.

I thought the wedding would be a tacky affair surrounded by slot machines and a fake Elvis, just the two of us plus Meera and Elsa as witnesses, but I was totally wrong. At four o’clock in the afternoon, I found myself in a hidden tropical oasis, part of the gardens at the Black Diamond Hotel. A personal shopper had brought a selection of dresses to the hotel suite Brax had arranged for us to get ready in, and while off-the-rack red wedding dresses weren’t common in the US, I managed to pick out a beautiful bridesmaid dress that was perfect for the job. Meera and Elsa wore matching knee-length dresses, green to symbolise our new beginning, and a henna artist had painted works of art on all of us. Plus another gift from Brax arrived before the ceremony—a gold, ruby, and diamond necklace in the shape of a heart. I welled up, and Elsa sighed as she fixed my make-up yet again.

And when I got downstairs, I found we had guests. Priest, Jerry, Chase, and Tulsa were there, and someone had set up a webcam so Alexa could watch too. And Brax’s mom had flown in with a nurse. I’d only met her that one time, and I had a brief moment of fear that she’d think we were rushing into this—because let’s face it, we were—and assume I was only marrying her son for his money. But she greeted me with a warm hug.

“You look lovely, my darling.”

“Thank you.” I wiped away more tears. Elsa was definitely going to huff at me.

“And my son looks happy. I’ve never seen him smile so much, not when he was with— Well, we’ll avoid mentioning her name.”

“I’m thrilled you’re here. And I hope we’ll see more of you in the coming months.”

“I’d like that.”

And I also hoped that someday, my mom would escape her unhappy marriage too, but only she could make the decision to leave. I’d be there waiting if she did. Maybe when I found my feet in this new life with Brax, I’d feel brave enough to contact her, to tell her there was more to life than being a rich man’s slave.

A lady Leon’s age passed me a tissue. “Don’t ruin your make-up, querida. This is a good day.”

I nodded, my eyes still damp. “It is. Uh, do we know each other?”

“I’m Luisa. I used to be Brax’s assistant before I moved back to Mexico.”

“Oh, he told me about you. Did you help with”—I waved a hand at the flowers—“all of this?”

“Somebody has to keep that man organised.”

A quiet snort escaped. “Coffee at one hundred and forty degrees?”

“If he doesn’t behave, give him decaf.”

Yes, I liked Luisa.

Brax’s old roommates showed up as well. Zach came with Ari, and Dawson brought Violet Miller. Plus Violet’s friend Lauren was there with her fiancé—Lauren worked for Brax as well, and I recognised her from the restaurant at Nyx. Others’ faces were familiar from photos Brax had shown me—Justin Norquist and Nolan de Luca. And when I walked down the aisle on Priest’s arm, I spotted Greyson Meyer standing next to my soon-to-be husband in the best-man position.

Blessedly absent? My entire family.

Our vows were short and oh-so sweet. I promised to be true to Brax in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. To love and honour him forever and always. It would be the easiest promise I’d ever had to keep. Our rings were plain, a blank canvas to build a relationship upon, but our kiss was anything but boring. We kind of forgot there was an audience until they began whistling, and then my cheeks matched my dress.

Now I was Indali Vale for real.

Dinner was served in a ballroom, and we were surrounded by our friends and yet more flowers. If a year ago, someone had told me I’d marry a sometimes bossy, always sexy millionaire with a movie star, a champion surfer, a congressman, and several black-ops lunatics in attendance, I’d have laughed them all the way to the psych ward. But there I was, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Love took centre stage that day, and love was all that mattered.

CHAPTER 48

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